France Sports Industry Year-to-date Sales Leading up to the Holiday Season

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Paris, France, November 21, 2018 – Over the last 12 months ending September 2018, the France sports apparel and athletic footwear industry (excluding accessories) totaled 6.68 billion euros, a 4 percent increase over the same time period last year, according to global information company The NPD Group.

Sports market growth is well positioned leading into the holiday season, with third quarter (July-Sept.) growth increasing 4 percent. In the third quarter, athletic apparel sales increased by 3 percent, and athletic footwear sales increased 4 percent.

Over the past 12 months in France, 29 million pairs of sports shoes out of a total of 72 million pairs were purchased for use primarily or solely for sports, with sneakers representing three-quarters of growth in the market.

While sales for running shoes continue to grow, they’re selling slower than the average athletic shoe, with gym / fitness / workout, and multi-sport taking the lead.

Athletic apparel leads athletic footwear, with €3.4 billion in sales, but footwear is poised to catch up with apparel, according to David Richard, Sport France Director for The NPD Group.

What was the impact of Soccer World Cup in
the Soccer footwear market?

There was no real impact on the market, but some brands managed to win share. The story is different for Apparel, as Soccer Apparel was worth more than three-quarters of Athletic Apparel growth. Without Soccer Apparel, Athletic Apparel would have been flat this quarter.

Nevertheless, other categories, including Swimwear, benefiting from a very hot summer are developing faster than the total market.

Expectations for the Holidays

For the shoe, the “retro” trend continues with leading brands capitalizing on consumer demands for retro looks.

Denim manufacturers took note that U.S. consumers — even the most fashionable ones — like the comfort of activewear and followed suit. Their efforts have paid off with a 9 percent increase in sales of women’s jeans in the year ending July 2018 compared to year ago, according to The NPD Group.